Solaris LSX 5W-30 (LL04) from Elf

[jim628]

Hi
Anybody is using this oil for your X5? Any comments?

Does anybody know what brand, type (natural or synthetic) and viscosity for your engine oil when the dealer does the oil change (especially in California)?
I saw the advertisement about this Elf oil in Roundel magazine. The ad says this type of Elf oil complies with BMW LL04 and it's available through the dealership.

Thanks.

[NINCHS]

Castrol is bmw Oil. You'll see in on your engine (BMW RECCOMENDS CASTROL) or something like that. Its Synthetic. I have used Mobil One as well in a differnt bmw with great success. Just change it more often than reccomended. I do it every 5500-7500 miles.

[Kyratz]

The container clearly states it's BMW longlife 04 compliant. I'm using this oil in an x5 35d and an x3 3.0d. No issues whatsoever and about 3% better diesel economy after 10000 kms of use in each car. Bought 15 litres for aud$210 - don't know how it compares to castrol

[killcrap]

Why go with aftermarket oil when the original can be had for about the same price if not cheaper. Call up your local dealer, see how much they charge for a quart of oil. should be close to $6.50 if not, check online. its $6.11 plus shipping on ECS tuning. Figure tax, and etc, probably the same cost.

[faranks]

I think BMW more specifically recommends German Castrol synthetic oil, as is the USA Castrol is not the same and not considered a true synthetic by some. However it is a debate on what is truly considered a synthetic oil. synthetics are supposedly class IV and class V: PAO and ester base stock. I'm not sure that there are many sythetics that fall under that class, most use mineral base stock.

After some research I got some of the Elf Solaris, my engine didn't blow up after leaving it longer than I have ever left oil in a motor. Then I went to WalMart and got some cheap Quaker State "synthetic" oil, it works fine. Question is, are you going to tear your motor apart and inspect it, or drive it long enough to wait and see? check out bobistheoilguy.com for some reference.

I used to build and race motorcycle engines that live at 15000 rpm. I changed oil every weekend with a Polyalphaolefin (PAO) based oil, tore motors apart, never saw a glint of an oil related problem. I think this debate is only relevant for those trying to avoid an oil change and risk their expensive luxury car for as long as they can. Even the most expensive oil cannot protect against stuff floating around in it. I think the real debate should probably be over how long can you go without changing your oil filter. I am confident that the 4.4l V8 will most likely outlast all the other cheap parts BMW put on the X.

I also run 87 octane in it all day long, ask me about that.

Sorry for the rant.

[Kyratz]

i just started using it when the dealer in australia where i live quoted me $25 per litre for castrol LL04 oil from BMW. that felt like i was robbed at gunpoint. Elf seems like a pretty good eurpoean brand, and the oil performs better than expected, that was the all i was trying to say -

[JCL]

Originally Posted by jim628

Hi
Anybody is using this oil for your X5? Any comments?

Does anybody know what brand, type (natural or synthetic) and viscosity for your engine oil when the dealer does the oil change (especially in California)?
I saw the advertisement about this Elf oil in Roundel magazine. The ad says this type of Elf oil complies with BMW LL04 and it's available through the dealership.

Thanks.

Wouldn't touch it. LL04 is not recommended for gasoline (petrol) BMW engines in North America, due to the lower TBN number. That becomes an issue with sulphur, which matters if your gasoline has any ethanol in it (and it is very likely to have ethanol). There has been lots of discussion about it. LL04 works fine for the diesels, just not the gasoline models. You can go to the older LL01 spec, but why not use Castol or Mobil1, in the weight recommended by BMW? Both work fine.

Here is one thread on the subject:

BMW LL 04 Not suitable for BMW petrol engines - Bob Is The Oil Guy

[Dannyell]

I bought 18 quarts from the dealer and the price came out to 5 bucks per so u can definitely save some